Living life in the midst of the pandemic: Is it safe to travel again?

The Covid-19 pandemic has made a tremendous shift in terms of the way we go about our daily lives. The recurring lockdowns have prompted digital solutions to cater to the demands of work, play, and education, affecting our daily routines with this introduction of the new normal. Businesses have transitioned online, and jobs are urged to be done remotely due to the potential threats that the virus might bring. 

This unexpected and massive change in lifestyle simultaneously affected the future in store – most of which are dappled in uncertainties. But beyond these changes in routine and way of life, perhaps the most unfortunate thing to experience during the pandemic is being separated from your loved ones. 

Lockdown restrictions may especially affect individuals who have close relatives, family members, or significant others in a foreign country. For a long time, even until now, the pandemic remains a frustrating obstacle when it comes to meeting with the people you love. With closed borders and flights being cancelled here and there, it’s quite isolating to stay at home all by yourself. 

Despite this, restrictions seem to be easing up recently. However, safety protocol is still a must to minimize the potential risks that COVID-19 variants may bring. 

Is it safe to travel during the pandemic?

The coronavirus has undoubtedly changed the ways in which we travel. This can be quite frustrating, especially for those who have a knack for going to different places around the globe or those who want to reunite with their loved ones in their home countries.

Fortunately, vaccination opportunities have made it possible for individuals and families to travel safely. Nevertheless, the standard advice for safety remains: you have to be fully vaccinated to qualify for travel. It’s also essential for you to know the current situation of COVID-19 at your destination and follow all the state restrictions and protocols during travel. Following these are vital if you want to reduce the risks of possible virus contraction. 

If you’ve met all of the qualifications and are willing to adhere to safety measures during your trip, then you’re set to go. If you’re planning to travel to the US to visit your partner, make sure to bring your k1 visa with you to proceed smoothly. Otherwise, you can also consider a partner visa so you can spend more time with your fiance in their country. 

Some tips for traveling safely

Even though travelling is already green-lit by most countries with a manageable COVID situation, flying still has its own risks. For one, social distancing tends to be impossible, especially on full flights. Airports can also be a potential source of COVID infections due to the thousands of people passing through them from various parts of the globe. Because of this, it’s better to keep in mind some of these tips for traveling safely.

1.Get vaccinated. 

The best way to protect yourself from potential viruses or infections is by diligently getting vaccinated, along with your booster shots. The CDC advises against international travel unless you’re completely vaccinated since unvaccinated travellers are prone to contracting variants of the virus. 

2. Reconsider going to destinations with low vaccination rates. 

Let’s say you’re already fully vaccinated. Even then, it still won’t do enough to protect you if the area you’re going to has a large population of unvaccinated individuals. Jobs within the tourism industry usually require close contact with travellers, making unvaccinated employees more vulnerable. This may lead to recurring spikes in infections. The least you can do is help the destination recover and wait till they attain a high level of immunity. 

3. Follow local regulations. 

Ensure that you know and follow the local regulations of the destination you’re going to before travelling. If the place you’re going to has mandatory quarantines for tourists who test positive, don’t immediately head back home and risk infecting thousands of other travellers. Meanwhile, if the destination mandates all travellers regardless of their covid results, don’t be quick to assume a negative test. Follow these safety protocols to ensure maximum protection and safety. Failing to comply with these regulations can result in a fine or even jail. 

4. Wear a mask during your flight and whenever you’re requested to. 

If you observe that your destination has fewer restrictions than usual, wear your mask anyway. Wearing a mask is proven to help prevent the spread of the virus better, increasing your chances of protection. It’s also best if you opt for N95 masks since they add a layer of protection against more resilient or contagious virus variants.